HUAWEI this week officially hosted its all-scenario new product launch event in Chengdu, Sichuan, unveiling its latest generation of smartphones: the nova 16 series, as it had promised. The lineup spans four distinct models—the online-exclusive nova 16z, the standard nova 16, the nova 16 Pro, and the premium nova 16 Ultra.
Endorsed by the boy band Teens in Times, the high-end models center around a “summer aesthetic” theme, introducing upgraded imaging systems, high-capacity batteries, and the HarmonyOS 6.1 operating system.
HUAWEI nova 16z
Positioned as the entry point to the series, the nova 16z is sold exclusively through HUAWEI Mall and authorized e-commerce channels. Its design departs from the standard and Pro models, incorporating a glossy bezel and a gradient finish on its lighter color variants. The rear camera module utilizes an oval frame with rounded rectangular elements.
- Display: 6.7-inch ultra-clear OLED eye-protection screen.
- Processor & OS: Kirin 8020 chip running HarmonyOS 6.1.
- Battery & Charging: 6000mAh silicon negative electrode battery with 100W wired fast charging.
- Imaging: 50MP front-facing ultra-clear portrait lens and a rear 50MP red maple leaf sensor system. It supports time-lapse themes and AI photo editing.
- Connectivity: Supports 5A speed and BeiDou satellite messaging.
HUAWEI nova 16
Touted by HUAWEI as the “strongest digital version in nova history,” the standard nova 16 shares several core internal specifications with the Pro tier while retaining a classic form factor.
- Display: 6.68-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, a 1% APL peak brightness of 5500 nits, and AI intelligent eye protection.
- Processor & Cooling: Kirin 9010S processor paired with an ice bridge cooling architecture.
- Battery & Charging: 7000mAh battery (the largest in the history of the nova series) supporting 100W SuperCharge.
- Imaging: A full 50MP red maple imaging system featuring a 50MP ultra-high-definition main camera, a 50MP RYYB periscope telephoto lens, a red maple primary color lens, and a 50MP ultra-high-definition portrait lens.
-
Connectivity: Supports BeiDou satellite messaging.
HUAWEI nova 16 Pro & nova 16 Ultra
The premium models focus on enhanced durability, advanced display metrics, and high-tier mobile photography.
The nova 16 Pro features a 7.1mm aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame with a velvet AG glass back panel. The front is protected by HUAWEI’s Kunlun glass, offering a claimed 10-fold increase in drop resistance. The nova 16 Ultra adds a unibody-molded vegan leather and glass combination back panel, alongside IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.
- Display: 6.84-inch screen with a 2856×1320 resolution and 1-120Hz LTPO dynamic adaptive refresh rate. The panel reaches a 1% APL peak brightness of 6000 nits.
- Performance: Powered by the Kirin 9010S chip and an ice bridge cooling architecture that improves thermal conductivity by 25%. According to HUAWEI, overall performance is boosted by 10% and desktop smoothness by 12% over the previous generation, with specific frame-rate optimizations for major MOBA and FPS titles alongside a 5x faster game startup speed.
- Battery & Power: 7000mAh battery with 100W SuperCharge (5A speed) and compatibility with HiCar and HiPlay spatial audio. The Ultra variant additionally supports 50W wireless charging.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, StarFlash, and BeiDou satellite messaging.
Advanced Imaging Architecture
The nova 16 Pro and Ultra feature an industry-exclusive 200MP red maple image sensor setup:
- Main Camera: 1/1.28-inch RYYB ultra-large sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS+AIS image stabilization.
- Telephoto: 1/2.5-inch 50MP RYYB periscope lens supporting 3.7x optical zoom.
- Macro: 50MP lens with a 118° field of view.
- Front System: A 50MP front-facing maple-themed imaging system (1/2.5-inch sensor, 0.8x-5x zoom). A secondary maple-themed lens integrates 1.5 million multi-spectral channels designed for precise color reproduction.
AI photo editing features come standard across the series, offering portrait retouching, 3D dynamic photos, magic image shifting, AI color mixing, and Xiaoyi photo editing assistance.
Software and HarmonyOS 6.1 Features
The complete nova 16 lineup ships with HarmonyOS 6.1. The updated software introduces:
- System-wide 3D image wallpapers and the ability to generate perlite patterns from photographs.
- The debut of Remy 3D audio photos and panoramic smart note-taking.
- Productivity tools, including automated timetable importing to calendars.
- AI integration via “Xiaoyi Circle,” allowing users to select on-screen items for problem-solving, alongside voice-activated 3D model generation supporting multi-person collaboration.
Pricing and Color Options
The series is available in several configurations and colorways:
| Model | Available Colors | Storage Configuration | Retail Price (Yuan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| nova 16z | Sky White, Mother-of-Pearl, Starry Black |
256GB 512GB |
2,699 (398 / Rs. 37,900 approx.) 3,199 (472 / Rs. 44,920 approx.) |
| nova 16 | Sky White, Sky Blue, Mother-of-Pearl, Starry Black |
256GB 512GB |
2,999 (443 / Rs. 42,110 approx.) 3,499 (517 / Rs. 49,130 approx.) |
| nova 16 Pro | Sky White, Mystic White, Sky Blue, Starry Black |
256GB 512GB 1TB |
3,899 (576 / Rs. 54,750 approx.) 4,399 (650 / Rs. 61,770 approx.) 4,999 (738 / Rs. 70,200 approx.) |
| nova 16 Ultra | Sky White, Sky Blue, Starry Black |
256GB 512GB 1TB |
4,699 (694 / Rs. 65,985 approx.) 5,199 (768 / Rs. 73,005 approx.) 5,799 (857 / Rs. 81,430 approx.) |
The entire lineup is available to order and is scheduled to officially go on sale on June 5 at 10:08 AM.